I read something online last week that was quite profound. It said, “A big mac doesn’t cost $3.99, it costs your health. Netflix doesn’t cost $17.99; it costs your time. Social media isn’t free, it costs your focus. There is always a hidden cost.”
I found these statements to be so very true. There is always a hidden cost to everything we do in life. So, it is in our spiritual life as well.
We are all familiar with Deuteronomy 28 that teaches us the blessings that will come upon us when we obey God and His Word. However, it also spells out for us what happens when we fail to obey the Word of God. The curse gains entrance to our life. The Bible doesn’t stop there warning us of the hidden costs of sins, it is woven throughout the Old and New Testament to let us know exactly what will happen when we choose to ignore God’s Word.
Now, with that being said, WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THE CURSE, Jesus took care of that for us. Yet, the fact remains if we don’t obey the Word of God, we will reap the consequences. Just as if we don’t obey the law of robbery. If we go out and rob a bank, we will go to jail. It’s just that simple.
Let’s look at some of the costs we can incur when we are disobedient:
Sin brings death, spiritually. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Unforgiveness has a cost as well.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
The cost of anger is a snare, a trap for your soul.
Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul. Proverbs 22:24-25
Allowing lust in your life comes at a great cost.
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:14-15
But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28
Bitterness has a price to pay.
Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled. Hebrews 12:15
Finally, doubt and unbelief will cost us greatly.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. James 1:6
In God, there are no hidden costs – He makes the cost of sin quite clear in the Bible. While it is God’s desire and will to bless His people – He also lets us know what will happen if we don’t obey Him and His Word. I am so thankful for that.
I know this is not a feel-good message today, but it is a vital one. If you are experiencing the curse instead of the blessing in any part of your life – check your heart. Check your life. Are you allowing these things an entrance into your life by disobedience to God? I am certainly not saying all attacks are due to sin or disobedience, I do not believe they are. However, some are. When something that seems like a curse comes my way, the first thing I do is check my heart, my attitude, and my words – to see if I have allowed entrance. If not, I stand on the Word of God and plow through. If I have allowed anger, unforgiveness, or sin of any kind to gain entrance, I repent and plead the blood over it and then I CHANGE my ways.
My friend, God desires His people to walk daily in the blessings of God. He has made that clear. However, He has also warned us what can happen if we don’t obey His Word and live in a way that is pleasing to Him. The rest…is up to us. May we be quick to listen and obey and may we keep all sin out of our life. Then we will walk in all God has for us.
